Ambassador Sichan Siv joins Asia Society Texas Center to tell his story — from escaping the Cambodian genocide to being a taxi driver in New York to finally being appointed the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. 

Siv is the international bestselling author of Golden Bones, an American dream story, and the poetry book Golden Words. In 2001 after unanimous confirmation by the Senate, he was appointed by President George W. Bush as an ambassador to the U.N., serving until 2006. In June 2005, Ambassador Siv represented the United States at the 60th anniversary of the U.N., in the footsteps of Presidents Truman in 1945, Eisenhower in 1955, Johnson in 1965 and Clinton in 1995.

From 1989 to 1993, Ambassador Siv served at The White House as Deputy Assistant to President George H.W. Bush and at the State Department as Deputy Assistant Secretary. In the private sector, he has held positions in social services, educational exchange, financial management and investment banking.

Siv escaped Cambodia's killing fields in 1976 and was resettled as a refugee in Connecticut with his mother's scarf, an empty rice bag and $2. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the George H.W. Bush Award for Outstanding Public Service, U.S. Army Commander's Award and Brazilian Academy of Art, Culture and History Honors. He has been a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol and an honorary commander of the U.S. Air Force.

On offer this evening will be special items from the South China Seas selection, on sale for all attendees, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Asia Society Texas Center.